Bayern Munich 4-1 Chelsea, Champions League: Post-match reaction; ratings

Chelsea came into the match trying to do something that’s never been done before in the history of the Champions League, but it didn’t take long to dissuade us from any such delusions of grandeur.

An entirely not uncharacteristic breakdown in the Chelsea back line inside of ten minutes gave Bayern a chance to find Lewandowski with a through ball. Caballero came out but got the ball instead of the man. The temporary reprieve of the offside flag was overturned by VAR, and rightly so. Lewandowski made no mistake from the spot to give Bayern a 4-0 lead on aggregate.

Bayern continued to dominate from then on until Perišić doubled their advantage on the night with another easy goal following a bad turnover in midfield.

It took Chelsea the better part of 30 minutes to grow into the game, with Hudson-Odoi flashing a bit of quality and picking out the far corner with a perfect shot for a consolation goal. Unfortunately, Abraham’s leg was offside while playing a 1-2 in the build-up. Tammy would make up for his misfortune by being in the right place at the right time to bundle home a loose ball from Neuer, who mishandled a low cross just before the half-time whistle.

Chelsea came out with much greater purpose, intent, and most importantly, quality in the second half, and pushed for a second goal on the night. Hudson-Odoi and Mason Mount were especially lively.

But Bayern were never not threatening, and after chances for Gnabry, Thiago, and Müller went begging Tolisso restored Bayern’s two-goal lead on the night and five-goal lead on aggregate after yet more shambolic defending.

There was still time for Lewandowski to score one from open play as well, to make it 4-1 on the night and 7-1 on aggregate.

Not great.

Carefree.

• Chelsea revert to a 4-3-3, with an all-Academy front three and a rare start for Emerson at left back.
• Ruben Loftus-Cheek was set to start but picked up an injury and was not even on the bench.
• Kanté back and captain (!) on the night.
• Frank Lampard used just one sub because ???
• And that’s the end of Chelsea’s 2019-20 season, though it was effectively over last weekend already.
• Next game: 2021-22 Premier League opening weekend just five weeks away (September 12)
• KTBFFH

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